Before battling Saturday night against South Carolina, the No. 14 LSU softball team stood united with its opponents that morning against a common enemy – ovarian cancer.
The squads participated in the fourth-annual “Geaux Teal Walk,” a two-mile walk starting at Tiger Park to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. An event-record 840 people showed up to support the cause and raised more than $40,000, according to coach Beth Torina.
“The walk this morning and continuing through the day to [Saturday’s] game shows some leadership and influence to try and create change in our culture and meet a medical need,” said Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey.
The Tigers (35-13, 9-11 SEC) defeated the Gamecocks, (32-15, 5-12 SEC) 8-0, in a five-inning, run-rule contest, but regardless of the outcome, Torina said her team had already claimed victory on Saturday.
“The day was a win before we even took the field,” Torina said. “I told [the team] beforehand that we were going to win this day no matter what the score is, but having a win in the game is pretty awesome to cap off a perfect day.”
Early in the contest the Tigers didn’t make a huge impact, scoring a single run over the first two segments make an impact. But in the next frame the team started the rout.
LSU scored four runs in the third inning after loading the bases with no outs to open the frame. In the next inning, junior second baseman Constance Quinn belted her first home run of the season to tack on another run.
“I don’t really jump over the [dugout] railing ever. Because one, I don’t want to hurt myself, and two, I have full catching gear on,” said junior catcher Sahvanna Jaquish. “Just seeing [Quinn’s] face light up, she carries our team in a very emotional way that she really deserved that one.”
Two RBI-singles later in the fourth, extended the lead to 8-0, which was enough for a mercy rule victory.
The series win is the third in the last four conference outings and fifth-straight victory for the Tigers.
LSU’s resurging offense is credited for a huge part of the streak.
During the five-game winning streak, LSU plated 7.6 runs per contest and averaged 10 hits per game.
Tigers’ starting pitcher sophomore Allie Walljasper used just 54 pitches to claim her eighth win of the year. She allowed just two hits and notched a pair strikeouts during the contest, while forcing 12 Gamecock batters to fly and ground out.
Although Walljasper’s winning performance furthered the Tigers’ victory, the sophomore gunslinger didn’t have the best command, Torina said.
“Truthfully, she didn’t have her best stuff,” the fifth-year coach said. “I don’t think anyone on the field would know that, because she is so consistent for us and has a lot of weapons … She’s consistent and she gives us a chance to win.”
The shortened contest was LSU’s second mercy ruled game in its last four.
“It’s not necessarily that we are back, because we haven’t been anywhere,” Quinn said. “Doing the job, getting results, working hard in practice and not being lackadaisical. It feels good to see where we are going.”
LSU will have the opportunity to sweep an opponent for the first time this season in the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“We just need to bring our crazy selves like we did against Mississippi State,” said senior third baseman Bianka Bell. “There was no time we were out of that game and we just need to bring our best three of three. Our best pitching, our best defense and have an awesome offense. If we bring all of that we’re going to come up with the sweep.”